Pululahua Crater

Not far from the Mitad del Mundo is one of only two inhabited calderas in the world, the Pululahua Crater. Yes, you read that correctly. People live inside a volcanic crater. About 40 families in fact. They are mainly farmers who grow corn and quinoa and raise cattle. But don’t be concerned. The volcano was last active over 2000 years ago!

Land near the Pululahua Crater was declared a botanical reserve by the Ecuadorian government back in the 1970s in part to protect the wide variety of species that live on the mountain slopes in the bosque nublado or cloud forest. Mammals like squirrels (rare in South America), rabbits, and foxes and birds like the beautiful Green-tailed Trainbearer make this their home.

Most people visit the reserve via the visitor’s center just shy of the crater rim. There it is possible to take photos down below but cross your fingers for a clear day. The crater is often filled with clouds that provide the moisture that create the cloud forests that survive on the steep mountain slopes. A couple of restaurants can be found nearby. This is our experience with the crater – a short stop for photos and a lunch after visiting Mitad del Mundo.

But for additional adventure, there is a poorly maintained hiking trail down to the crater floor. Or you can arrive via car on a road a little north of the entrance to the visitor’s center. Once you have arrived, you can stay the night at one of the hospedajes like the Pululahua Hostel or have a simple meal in one of the small restaurants. Horseback riding, mountain biking, and bird watching seem to be the most popular pursuits. We highly recommend making reservations before showing up. Small communities in Ecuador are often not prepared to greet unexpected tourists without warning.

If you have experience with an overnight stay in the Pululahua Crater, please let us know in the comments below!

Surprise sculpture found on the trail of the Hotel Restaurant El Crater.

Flowers in bloom on the trail at the Pululahua Crater

Entrance to the Pululahua Crater and Botanical Reserve.

Swing at the Hotel Restaurant El Crater

Stones at the Hotel Restaurant El Crater

Trail near the Hotel Restaurant El Crater provides different views of the Pululahua Crater.

View of the Caldera at the Pululahua Crater.

Llama found at the Hotel Restaurant El Crater… beware when llamas flatten their ears.

Hi Adele! I double checked with some friends near Mitad del Mundo. They said that it is possible to get a taxi in San Antonio, the small town near the Mitad del Mundo monument. This taxi would be one of the small, white trucks that operate outside of Quito. They are better prepared to handle the road going in and out of the crater. Be sure to tell them that you want to go to the village in the crater and not to the “mirador.”